Oar or paddle



April 25, 1944. R, O 2,347,475

OAR OR PADDLE Filed Jan. 26, 1943 Patented Apr. 25, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE one on rannta William R. Ford, Drumrisht, Okla, Application January as, 1943, Serial No. 473,642 1 Claim. (01. 9-24) This invention relates to an oar or paddle.

It especially is aimed to provide a novel structure having wings or blades which will remain closed during the power stroke and which will open automatically to permit the passage of water therethrough on the take-up stroke;

It further is aimed to provide a structure which is relatively simple and inexpensive, which is strong and durable, having a novel frame within which the wings or blades are hinged, in combination with stop means to define and limit the movement of the wings or blades, a construction which will enable the depth of the oar or paddle in the water to be gauged, and a construction which will remain afloat if dropped in the water. The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawing illustrating an operative embodiment. r I

In said drawing: Figure 1 is a plan view of the car or paddle; Figure 2 is a view in side elevation thereof,

being partly broken away; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-section taken on the plane of line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring specifically to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like or similar parts, the car or paddle is provided with a frame I I which is open and of any desired size or shape. Fitted within the frame are similar wings or blades ll pivoted as at I! by means of hinges to such frame. During the power stroke, the blades or wings H are closed as shown in full line in the drawing, being in the same plane as the frame and in contact with one or more stop bars I3 integral with or fastened to and spanning the frame.

Said wings or blades remain in such closed position during the power stroke, but through impingement with the water on the take-uh stroke such wings or blades automatically open to the dotted line position shown in Figure 3, thus enabling passage of water through the frame. Movement of the wings or blades to such dotted line position of Figure 3 is limited by their abutment against an arch-shaped stop bar I, preferably having angle portions it against whichthe wings or blades respectivelyabut,

To'enable manipulation of the car or paddle with the length of the blades or wings I I in vertical position, a handle I6 is provided which may' be secured in. any suitable manner to frame III, for instance by means of lugs I! on such frame between which the handle is fitted and through vent sinking of the car or paddle in the event that it falls into the water.

, A series of holesor openings 20 maybe provided in the handle adjacent the frame, to serve as gauges, enabling the user to gauge the depth of operation of the car or paddle in the water. It will be clear that in the use of the device, its longitudinal axis is vertical and that the device is operated in the same manner as the usual oar or paddle, with the wings' or blades ll, however, remaining closed and in abutting contact with the stop bar 13 on the power stroke, while automatically opening to the dotted line position of Figure 3 on the take-up stroke.

Attention is called to the fact that aside from the float material used at IS, the other parts may be made of any desired material, that is, wood, metal, plastic, or any combination of them or any equivalent? f Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

An car or paddle having an open frame provided with parallel side members, blades hinged and opposed to the first abutment means, said abutment means serving to brace the frame and engageable by the blade means to limit openin movement of the blade means on the take-up stroke, and a handle extending from said frame.

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